La Escala, a charming town with a taste of the sea

The municipality of La Escala, located at the southernmost tip of the Catalan region of Alt Empordà and only 60 kilometers from the French border, is one of the main tourist destinations on the Costa Brava. Every year it is visited by travelers from all over Europe who come attracted, above all, by its splendid beaches, its pleasant Mediterranean climate, with long, warm summers and mild winters, the rich historical heritage it treasures and its world-famous gastronomy.

Heritage and history of La Escala

The toponym of La Escala (La Escala in Catalan) derives from the Latin Scala, a very common name in the eastern Mediterranean to refer to a port or dock that is a common refuge for boats. The first civilization to settle in these lands (apart from the first settlers in prehistoric times) were the Greeks, who established the colony of Ampurias in the 6th century B.C. A few centuries later it was occupied by the Romans.

To discover more about the valuable historical legacy of this region, a visit to the beautiful neighboring town of San Martín de Ampurias, located just 10 minutes away by car, is a must. The extraordinary Greco-Roman ruins of Ampurias, one of the most important archaeological sites in Spain, and the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia (MAC) are located in the surrounding area.

Another reason why La Escala is recognized beyond its borders is because of its star product par excellence, the anchovies of La Escala. The tradition of salting anchovies dates back to the time of the Greeks and Romans, and today it has a quality designation. The town even has a museum dedicated to anchovies and you can visit some of the factories that produce this succulent delicacy.

The fishing industry, together with commerce and tourism, which boomed in the 1960s, are undoubtedly the economic pillars of the region. La Escala has an outstanding commercial port and a marina, both with capacity for approximately 1,300 moorings. Every afternoon, the fishermen's guild unloads the day's catch at the fish market, a spectacle worth seeing. 

From the port, boats also leave daily for tourists and locals who travel along the magnificent Girona coastline, with numerous possibilities for the practice of different nautical activities throughout the year. Adjacent to the yacht club is the wonderful Riells Beach, the largest and most popular of the municipality. It is a beach of fine sand with very shallow draft ideal for families with children and is bordered by the promenade that connects with the old town of La Escala, another of the essential places to visit in the area.

Buying a property on the Costa Brava

For lovers of the sea and good quality of life, buying a house in La Escala is a magnificent opportunity to live in an idyllic setting surrounded by incomparable nature with a wide range of services and infrastructures. The real estate offer in this territory is extensive. There are possibilities for investment, to establish a second residence or to settle permanently in the region. Two interesting options in the locality are the properties available on the seafront or in the beautiful old town. Discover some of the properties for sale in La Escala.

La Platja, a cove located in the center of the town, is the meeting point of La Escala. The most important events of the municipality take place here 365 days a year. Popular events are held here that perfectly convey the rich history and culture of the town, such as the traditional Cantada de Habaneras, the Salt Festival or the Greco-Roman Fair of the Triumvirat Mediterrani. Also, in the vicinity there are many stores and an excellent gastronomic offer where you can taste the renowned Empordà cuisine and its excellent wines.

Beaches, hiking and cycling

The municipality of La Escala has 7 kilometers of coastline with a large number of beaches and coves for everyone. Visitors can enjoy the calm waters both on the town's urban beaches and in the more secluded coves, the latter being the perfect setting for snorkeling or scuba diving and discovering the varied seabed of the Costa Brava. In addition, the wonderful Mediterranean environment invites you to make an endless number of routes that are perfectly adapted to go along the coastline by bike or walking.

Would you like to buy a property in La Escala to spend a few months of holidays during the year or to settle there permanently? Please contact our real estate agency in La Escala to find the apartment, house or villa of your dreams.